Apply to appoint a decision supporter for Supported Decision Making (SDM)

A decision supporter can be appointed for adults (over 18):

• who can make their own decisions with support,
• who can express their will (including with assistance and accessibility needs),
• who agree to appoint a decision supporter

A decision supporter can be an adult (over 18):

• who permanently lives in Israel
• who is interested in being a decision supporter
• who the decision maker agrees to
• who is not under someone else’s guardianship, and has not made a valid continuing power of attorney for themselves
• who has no conflict of interest between this role and other matters or roles in their care

The decision maker needs to submit an application to appoint a decision supporter to the Family Court

Example of an application to appoint a decision supporter 

If the decision maker has difficulty submitting the application, they can ask someone to submit it for them (for example, a family member). 

Example of an application to appoint a decision supporter submitted by someone on the decision maker’s behalf

You can attach opinions or references from professionals and family members.

Applying to the court involves paying a fee.

Pre court meeting

Before applying to the court to appoint a decision supporter, you’ll need to book a mandatory meeting to discuss the application. The meeting must be with:

• a representative of the Custodian General
• the applicant (decision maker)
• the proposed decision supporter

In the meeting you’ll get information about: 

• the decision supporter’s role and responsibilities
• the decision supporter’s powers in regards to third parties (such as banks),
• the decision maker’s responsibilities 
• available ongoing training and mentoring 

Contact Mrs. Oranit Dan, Head of Supported Decision Making, Custodian General Division to set up the meeting:

Phone: 055-6838798
Email: [email protected]

After the meeting, you’ll receive confirmation that it’s been held

Submitting the application

After the pre court meeting, apply to your local Family Court to appoint a decision supporter. If the applicant needs help submitting the someone can submit it for them. You’ll need to attach the confirmation that you’ve held the pre court meeting.

You can submit the application as:

• a separate court procedure to appoint a decision supporter
• part of an ongoing case, such as a guardianship case

The court will consider your application and may request an opinion from a social worker for legal proceedings (called a "Review").

After the hearing, the court will give its decision whether to appoint a decision supporter and under what conditions.
The supported decision making order will specifies

• what matters the supported decision making covers
• the type of support required
• the period of the appointment
   

Training and facilitation

A close decision supporter (unlike a volunteer or salary decision supporter) must attend a guidance and facilitation meeting within 3 months of receiving the appointment, as a condition for the appointment order to take effect.

At the meeting, the roles of the decision supporter will be explained in according to the appointment order.

Contact Mrs. Oranit Dan, Head of Supported Decision Making, Custodian General Division to set up the meeting:

Phone: 055-6838798
Email: [email protected]

Cancelling a supported decision making appointment

The court can cancel a supported decision making appointment order, or appoint an alternative supporter if:

• the decision maker does not want the decision supporter to continue and has informed the decision supporter
• the decision supporter is not performing their role properly and as a result the decision maker has been harmed
• the decision maker’s situation has improved and they don’t need a decision supporter anymore
• the decision maker’s situation has got worse and they need another type of support
• the decision supporter resigned and has informed the decision maker
• the decision supporter does not meet the conditions for the appointment (see under Who can apply and who can be a decision supporter)
   

Legal Qualifications and Guardianship Law, 1962

Appointing a guardian

Guardianship is a legal arrangement that is suitable for those who are unable to manage their own affairs or make their own decisions.

The Family Court has the power to appoint a guardian. The court will appoint a guardian for anyone who does not have another person or body that can assist them in this regard.

The court may limit the scope of the appointment to certain matters or to a certain period. 
Find out more about appointing a guardian

Continuous power of attorney

A continuous power of attorney is a legal document that allows any adult (over 18) to determine how and by whom their affairs will be managed in the future is they cannot manage them themselves. 
Find out more about continuous power of attorney

Other means of protection

There are other legal arrangements to protect the property of someone who has difficulty managing their own affairs, for example:

• registration of a warning note in the land registry to prevent the sale of a property
• adding someone as a partner to a bank account and setting special conditions, such as receiving approval for financial expenses over a certain amount by the decision maker
• use of restricted debit cards, for example, prepaid debit cards issued by the Post Office Bank
• limiting the bank account of the account holder
• creating a trust account for funds